Gender Bias in the Workplace infographic description

The infographic is titled, Thinking Critically About: Gender Bias in the Workplace. The learning objective question 4-15 reads, what factors contribute to gender bias in a workplace?

The first panel is titled, Differences in PERCEPTION. An illustration shows a woman standing behind a podium addressing a group of people holding cameras, notepads, and microphones. They are all giving her a skeptical look, and a thought bubble from above their heads reads, She’s so aggressive! Text on the left reads, Among politicians who seem power-hungry, women are less successful than men (Okimoto and Brescoll, 2010). On the right is another illustration of a man standing behind a podium addressing a group of people holding cameras, notepads, and microphones. They are all smiling at him, and a text bubble from above their heads reads, He’s so take-charge!

Text to the right of the man reads, Most political leaders are men. Under this, there is a circular graph (depicting the globe) with text in the middle of the circle that reads, Political leaders. The graph shows that 76 percent of the circle represents men, who held 76 percent of seats in the world’s governing parliaments in 2019 (IPU, 2019). It also shows that the remaining 24 percent represents women political leaders.

On the right of the graph, text reads, People around the world tend to see men as more powerful. (Williams and Best, 1990). Text below the graph reads, When groups form, whether as juries or companies, leadership tends to go to males (Colarelli et al., 2006).

The second panel is titled, Differences in COMPENSATION. Women in traditionally male occupations have received less than their male colleagues (Willett et al., 2015). Text below in the left half of the panel reads, Medicine. U.S. salary disparity between male and female physicians (Census Bureau, 2018), with an illustration showing two dollar symbols. The smaller dollar symbol represents the salary of women and the larger one represents the salary of men. Labels for the dollar signs read, 171,880 dollars for women and 243,072 dollars for men. On the right side of the panel text reads, Academia. Female research grant applicants have received lower quality of researcher ratings and have been less likely to be funded (Witteman et al., 2019) (But as we will see, gender attitudes and roles are changing). Beside this text is the female genetic symbol inside a downward-facing arrow.

The third panel is titled, Differences in FAMILY-CARE RESPONSIBILITY. The illustration shows a woman entangled in the wires of a laptop and phone, seated at a desk strewn with papers. One arm is holding a baby and on the other arm is a handbag. She is checking her watch. Text reads, U.S mothers still do nearly twice as much child care as fathers (CEA, 2014; Parker and Wang, 2013; Pew, 2015). In the workplace, women are less often driven by money and status, compromise more, and more often opt for reduced work hours (Nikolova and Lamberton, 2016; Pinker, 2008).

The fourth panel is titled, What else contributes to WORKPLACE GENDER BIAS?

The first box in this panel has a heading that reads, Social norms.

Under the heading, the text reads, In most societies, men place more importance on power and achievement, and are socially dominant (Gino et al., 2015; Schwartz and Rubel-Lifschitz, 2009).

The second box in this panel has a heading that reads, Leadership styles.

Under this heading, the text reads, Men are more directive, telling people what to do and how to do it. An illustration shows a man in a suit instructing an employee.

Women are more democratic, welcoming others’ input in decision making (Eagly and Carli, 2007; van Engen and Willemsen, 2004). An illustration shows a woman in a suit listening to an employee.

The third box in this panel has a heading that reads, Interaction styles.

Text under the heading reads, Men are more likely to offer opinions (Aries, 1987; Wood, 1987).

Women are more likely to express support (Aries, 1987; Wood, 1987).

The illustration shows a smiling woman taking notes while listening to a man.

The fourth box in this panel has a heading that reads, Everyday behavior.

Text under the heading reads, Men are more likely to talk assertively, interrupt, initiate touches and stare (Leaper and Ayres, 2007; Major et al., 1990; Schumann and Ross, 2010). An illustration shows a man in a suit with his hand on another man’s shoulder.

Women smile and apologize more than men (Leaper and Ayres, 2007; Major et al., 1990; Schumann and Ross, 2010). The illustration shows a woman in a suit taking notes and smiling at a man.

The fifth box in this panel has a heading that reads, Gender Roles Vary Widely across place and time.

Text under the heading reads, Women are increasingly represented in leadership (now 50 percent of Canada’s cabinet ministers) and in the workforce. In 1963, the Harvard Business School admitted its first women students. Among its Class of 2020, 41 percent were women (Harvard Business School, 2019). In 1960, women were 6 percent of U.S medical students. Today, they are slightly more than half (AAMC, 2018).